Pippen headed to Portland

[stanch]

Tingin ko nde matutuloy to e...
risky for both sides...
sana magkasundo na si pip n chuck...
para we'll see the three of them with hakeem playing alongside future star Steve francis...sayang naman di ba?
:)

[batang uliran]

In a deal that is termed imminent by the AP, the disgruntled Rocket forward Scottie Pippen is headed to Portland in exchange for 6 players: Kelvin Cato, Stacey Augmon, Carlos Rogers, Walt Williams, Ed Gray and Brian Shaw. While the Blazers gave up much of their deep bench, they retained all their existing starters and I think have improved their team overall and enhanced their chances of winning it all this coming season.

[nix]

Man, what a deal!!! Now you've got the most powerful 8 man rotation with Stoudemire, Smith, Shrempf, Rasheed, B.Grant, Sabonis, Pippen, and Anthony! Do they still have Jermaine?

All they have to do now is plug in those missing roster slots with role players -- people who don't turnover the ball and can hit the long jumpers.

[The Rock]

The Rock says he just checked out ESPN.com a few minutes ago and NBA Insider David aldridge confirmed the Pip for six Blazers deal. A press con will be held sometime tonight or tomorrow morning Manila time to announce the deal. Chuck and Pip got into a very heated argument after Barkley criticized Scottie for asking for the Laker trade and demanding that Pippen apologize to him. sobrang yabang talaga nitong si Barkley dahil gusto niya, siya pa ang hihingan ng sorry ni Scottie. Ilang championship na ba ang napanalunan niya?!

As for Pip in Portland, they were already a dangerous time without him, they've become contenders with him. The Rock heard that Scottie doesn't really agree with the trade but there's no veto option in his contract. Though The Rock is a Laker fan, he must admit that Portland has a better chance of winning the Pacific Division than either the Lakers or the Suns (even with Penny), forget the Sonics. If you smell what The Rock is cookin!

[POW!]

The Trade has push thru. pip is already a blazer but there are still rumours circulating that the blazers would use pip as bait to the lakers for Rice.

[ava88]

Good riddance to Pippen, I think what Pippen did (remarks against Barkley) was uncalled for. He's justifying his poor performance last season, complaining about the offensive patterns etc. Let us remember that the reason why he has all those championship its because of the MJ and MJ alone. Lets remember that when Michael retired he cannot even bring this team to the play-offs. Go to hell Scottie your time is up and you do not deserve the pay youre getting, Houston realized their mistake early and I'm glad they got rid of this overrated guard. Portland will realize their mistake soon ha ha ha ......

[heather_mist]

Pow!

Is a direct swap between the Lakers and Portland possible with Pippen and Rice as the concerned parties? How about salary cap restrictions, alam ko over-the-cap na ang Lakers at baka di-ma-accomodate ang suweldo ni Pippen.

[batang uliran]

No, a direct Pippen for Rice swap would not work under the salary cap rules since Pippen makes about $5M/year more than Rice. That's why the deal the Lakers previously proposed with Houston was Horry and Rice for Pippen.

[nix]

I still feel that the Rockets should have bargained for Greg Anthony. Why throw away the four other players in the deal when they could have just gotten Williams, Cato, and Anthony?

[webpinoys]

This opinion from a Rockets Fan.

Last season:
The Rockets (mainly bec. of Rudy T.) really did not take advantage of Pippen's versatility, making him play defense most of the time. Pippen, a veteran, should have taken it upon himself to adjust to the style of basketball.

Barkley, a free agent at that time, could have signed with other teams with more money but instead opted for the Rockets at the minimum salary ($1M i think) so the Rockets could take Pippen ($67M), disgruntled with the Chicago Bulls, and because Barkley wants to win a championship. So, Pippen does owe Barkley a lot.

The Trade:
Portland, indeed needs a veteran leader and I think they got that with Scotty Pippen. The Rockets style of basketball is finding "Role Players" to fit their system and I hope and pray that they got some Role Players (and fresh legs). Also their acquisition of Steve Francis (6'3" i think who penetrates, slahes, dunks, and can shoot from the outside and the 3 - i saw this guy play several times and WOW!!!!) gives them the much needed "explosiveness factor" that they had experienced before with Sam Cassell although Francis is more athletic than Cassell. Expect him to play mostly off-guard (sometimes at point guard) and Mobley to still play the point.

Next Season: Rockets will play for the championship.

[KARTOG]

I think the Rockets will be a force in the playoffs with Yao and van Gundy...

[the_BuGs]

hanep talaga si Kartog parang si aajao :D nsa bulls na ulit si Pippen :glee:

[KARTOG]

Originally posted by the_BuGs
hanep talaga si Kartog parang si aajao :D nsa bulls na ulit si Pippen :glee:

:D just having a nice time bro hehe :D